June 2003
ATAN
 La Laguna |
Versión española
Photo 1: View of La Vega (La Laguna), seen from Vueltas Blancas, in Las Mercedes. The relentless spread of roads and buildings means that La Vega is beginning to suffer from the same kind of sprawl that has blighted so much of the Canary Islands. The dividing line between town and country is becoming increasingly blurred as land is swallowed up by unsightly urban development.
Photo 2: Another view, this time from Lomo Largo. Some evidence of residual farming activity can be seen in the picture. How long will it be before this too succumbs to land-grabbing developers?
Photo 3: An unusual scene in the Canary Islands - a combine harvester at work in La Vega. In the background, lamp standards line the Vía de Ronda highway, which is responsible for much of the environmental destruction here. The highway cuts the area in two and is a lame excuse for a new building frenzy.
Photo 4: Pig pens, closed by the Canary Islands government. In the background, La Vega. The farm tipped its slurry ("pig shit" in popular parlance) straight down the slope to the valley below. Only time will tell whether this was the real reason for closing the farm.
Photo 5: "Unofficial" buildings at Lomo Largo. Such constructions are not only ruining La Vega but are also encroaching upon virgin areas in the mountains ringing Valle de Aguere.
Photo 6: An old livestock pen, with a bedstead as a gate. Who would guess that La Laguna is a World Heritage site?
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